Hamilton slumped to a derby defeat in their first competitive game of the season as Airdrieonians deservedly progressed to the Ramsdens Cup second round.

The Diamonds simply looked like they wanted it more, and provided Accies with some food for thought in terms of their defensive outlook.

Sure, the visitors were missing injured Martin Canning while boss Alex Neil remained in the dug-out, but the line-up should still have been strong enough to see off their League One opponents.

The only member of the starting XI that didn’t play a meaningful part in last season’s team was James Keatings, and that’s only really because injury prevented him from making a telling contribution on his loan spell from Celtic.

Hamilton started well and in four minutes Louis Longridge’s outswinging cross from the right was just too far ahead of Ali Crawford’s head as he looked to make contact.

Four minutes later the winger sent a chip high and wide of target.

Airdrie showed their menace in 10 minutes when a throw-in from the right was headed out only as far as David Sinclair, but his low shot fizzed just past the left post.

Accies took the lead in bizarre circumstances in 17 minutes when a neat passing move ended with Longridge hitting a shot at the same time as an Airdrie defender attempted to block, with the ball spinning past Colin Stewart and landing in the bottom left corner.

Moments later Keatings had a drive superbly touched onto the left post by Stewart, preventing a quick-fire second goal.

That proved to be pivotal, as Airdrie came roaring right back into the game.

In 22 minutes Grant Evans’ throw-in from the left was met with a hooked volley by Jim Lister, but it flashed past.

Airdrie then equalised in 24 minutes in spectacular style as Sinclair’s free-kick on the left was controlled by Willie McLaren, with the ex-Hamilton winger turning to smash a superb shot past Kevin Cuthbert from 14 yards.

Hamilton again started the second half well and inside the opening minute captain Jon Routledge and Keatings linked up well, but the striker’s shot was well saved by Stewart.

Airdrie then created a good chance in 52 minutes when Sinclair launched a dangerous corner from the left, but Ziggy Gordon hooked the ball away from Lewis Coult before he could connect.

At the other end Gordon found himself in a superb position to score in 57 minutes, but fired just wide.

That again proved to be pivotal as Airdrie bagged their winner in 59 minutes when Jamie Bain’s throw-in from the left was allowed to bounce through to Nathan Blockley, who headed into the bottom left corner.